Ali J Art & Illustration

365 Day Project - Day 162

Wow, I can't believe I'm already 162 days into my "365 day project".  It's been 105 days since I last blogged about what I've been up to with my business so I thought it was time for a bit of a round up.

Business Update

Christmas orders have started to flood in, so I'm on overdrive at the moment.  Luckily I'm now 5 months pregnant (as of this Saturday) so my energy levels have returned enough to cope with it all.

I'm working on a whole range of different projects at the moment, all with rush deadlines, all due to be completed within the next 2-4 weeks.  The great thing is that now I'm getting a whole variety of projects to work on and keep driving my illustrations to the next level. 

When I think of client jobs I will admit I do have a bit of a chuckle.  Just after I started illustrating back in 2007 I applied to various illustration agencies at the time and was told that they couldn't take me on because they didn't think I'd be able to get client jobs.  Well Mr Agencies.... look at me now!   I absolutely love client jobs/commissions.  (BTW - Applying to illustration agencies is once again in my future sights, but I've decided I'm going to wait for the baby to come first)

So.... I'm currently working on the following projects -

• CD Design
• Poster design for a series of community art courses
• Commissioned painting for a wedding gift
• 3 x character illustrations for a lifestyle website
• 3 x dating illustrations for a dating website
• wholesale orders
• proper multiple page spread & interview for a major magazine (eep!)
• graduation show

+ more jobs not yet finalised.....

I am a little bit panicked at being so busy during peak market season, I think I've got 12+ markets before January already!  I don't want to cut back on them though as this will be the last few months I'm going to do markets for a significant period of time.  Our aim is to earn as much as we can through the business so we can put as much $$ aside as possible for the baby.

My aim for the next few weeks is just to work, work, work and keep the flow going.  I've got so many plans for the future but until I know where life is heading, I don't want to overplan the business.

But great news - I've been accepted into the Life In Style trade show next year!!  My first trade show, and I'm super excited.  =)

Life Update

In 5 weeks time both myself and Mr R graduate from our studies.  Hooray!  Our plan once that has finished is to take a few days off housesitting to recharge before throwing ourselves into work again.

The downfall is that because our studies finish, so does our financial support from the government.  I won't be able to get help again until I give birth, Mr R's income from the army stops as well (they go on holiday) so it will be an interesting time relying completely on me and the magical artwork I can create.  He's applying for jobs in the interim period, but no-one seems to want to hire anyone right now.

We have our 20 week ultrasound booked for next week that we are SO excited about.  I can't believe we are already 1/2 way through the pregnancy.  Oh, speaking of halfway Mr R and I have our 6 month anniversary on Thursday night.  We are going to go out for a meal, so exciting!

We're just impatiently waiting now to discover if Mr R has a job teaching next year, and where that may be.  As soon as we find that out we'll organise a house, move into it, then set ourselves up.  I'm hoping that can be done in January as I'm not keen to move during the hottest month of the year - February where temperatures often sit at 40 degrees+.  Yuck!

Pregnancy wise everything is going great.  I have very little problems, just little niggly things that remind me of what I'm going through.  I feel like a dried out shell everynight.  I can't drink enough water and my skin, mouth and nose are bone dry.  I'm affected quite badly by hayfever at the moment, first time in my life.  My record of sneezing so far has been 21 sneezes in a row!  Other then that I've been keeping my fitness up by both walking and swimming - sometimes laps in the pool, other days in pregnancy fitness classes.  I really really miss exercising stronger, and I've been aching to run up and down sand dunes.  Of course I can't, so I'll just have to wait a bit longer.  Oh, and I've started to waddle.  But don't stare!  LOL

Last of all, I just wanted to share a sneek peek with you about an upcoming exhibition I've got one work in.  I really wanted to do more works for it, but had a reality check that time just isn't on my side.  This exhibition revolves around fairytales.  The story I was given is "Puss In Boots".  So here is a sneak peek.... when the exhibition opens I'll show you the full image and the story behind it.

Sneak Peek - "A Gift For The King"

Here is the exhibition poster.  It's been getting a lot of press, and it has been so exciting to see my name everywhere (including a mention in the latest Frankie magazine!)

So I hope your day has been going well.  Hopefully I can pop back onto here quicker next time with plenty of new things to finally share!

Graduate Fine Art Auction

I'm a bit late about posting this, but better late then never!  Tomorrow night (Thursday) we are having an auction at college for the Advanced Diploma of Fine Art graduating class (which I'm in).



This is the work I've created for the event -



"Wishing On A Big Blue Sky"
Mixed Media.  Wooden Panel.  30cm x 30cm

There is no reserve, and this is the first time I'll actually be attending an auction with my work on it.  So I'm nervous as, but excited too.  Curious to see who it will go home with!

I Am An Endangered Species

 I'm happy to introduce to you the last new painting  for the upcoming group show "The Essence of Pleasure" at the Famous When Dead gallery in Melbourne.



"I Am An Endangered Species"
Acrylic on canvas
50cm x 60cm x 4cm

Who Is The Hunter Now?

I'm excited to reveal yet another new artwork.  This is  for the upcoming group show "The Essence of Pleasure" at the Famous When Dead gallery in Melbourne.   (There will be three works in total)



"Who Is The Hunter Now?"
Acrylic on canvas
50cm x 60cm x 4cm

Who Can? Toucan

I have another group show opening next week at Famous When Dead Gallery in Melbourne.  I've got a few works going there, and will start introducing them slowly, as well as do a proper post about the group show just before the opening.

For now, I'm going to introduce you to one of my new works.  This is the first for the show, the  main piece, my new love.  Seriously, I don't want to let it even leave the house and can't stop staring at it.  Not many of my works cause that reaction in me.

This was the work that was driving me to the edge of disaster last week, but in the last few seconds some kind of magic happened and it transformed.



"Who Can?  Toucan"
Acrylic and collage on canvas
60.5cm x 76cm x 4cm

It tells a story of two fashionable girls wandering through the forest, obviously out of place, and very lost.  They are being watched by tropical birds that surround them, who are trying to converse with them and tell them how to get back home.  However the girls don't understand bird-speak and ignore them, then they continue on their journey, getting more lost every step they take.

The collage text used is from English dictionaries and school poetry books.

Group Show = Picture This

I've got a work in a group show in Joondalup, officially opening tomorrow (Friday) the 11th of June.

9/June - 21/June "Picture This" Blender Gallery, Perth, Australia

This artwork was the one I dropped off on Monday night, just on time.  I 'babysat' the gallery tonight, and to my ultra surprise the first artwork you see when you walk in the door is mine!!!!





(sorry about the slight glare from the camera flash!)



I couldn't truly capture the colours, they are a bit more vivid.  It is always hard to take photographs at night!  This second photo is more true to the actual painting.

"A Breath of Fresh Air"
mixed media on canvas
76.5cm x 61.5cm x 4cm

I know people always want to know about each painting, the whole story behind it.  However I like to leave a lot of the interpretation up to the viewer.  Have a go at working out what the story is.

drumroll for dRaw exhibition

I have a group exhibition opening this week.  I'm very excited.  :)



dRaw exhibition

15th April - 1st May

214 William St, Northbridge

11am - 6pm daily

free entry

Opening Night - 15th April, 6.30pm, $10 entry (pick up the free arterial exhibition mag and then grab some Coopers beer or Madfish wine!)

check out the website or facebook event page  for more info

I've got four artworks in the exhibition.  All are available for sale at the event, and limited edition prints of each (5 I think) will be available.  I've also got a bit about me in their magazine which is being released on the night.

 

"Beauty Is My Middle Name"

14.9cm x 21.9cm

Mixed Media on paper - Ink, collage, marker, graphite, pencil, acrylic

2009

 

"The Next Brad Pitt"

14.9cm x 21.9cm

Mixed Media on paper - Acrylic, graphite, marker, ink, collage, acrylic

2009

 

"An Honest Portrait"

14.9cm x 22.1cm

Mixed Media on paper - Ink, graphite, collage, marker, coloured pencil

2009

"Escaping For A Few Hours"

29.6cm x 42cm

Mixed Media on paper - ink, marker, coloured pencil, acrylic

2009

2009 Archibald Finalists Announced

"Nell" Abbey McCulloch

The Archibald Finalists have been announced and I'm so pleased to see Abbey McCulloch once again on the list.  The Archibald is the most prominent of all the art prizes in Australia with the winner receiving $50,000.  The Archibald is also considered to be the most important portraiture prizes to receive.  The winner of the prize will be announced on Friday the 6th of March at 12 noon.

It is quite interesting when researching the prize.  All portraits must be painted from life, including celebrities.  Generally about 200 people enter paintings every year, but only 100 get hung, and  from that they shortlist the finalists before announcing the winner.  There are three categories in which you can win.  The Archibald Prize which is voted on by the panel.  The Packing Room prize which is voted on by the staff that hang the works.  The last prize is the Peoples Choice where the public votes for their favourite.   Oh - and each person may only enter once, with one artwork each year.

Entering the Archibald is definitely something I want to do sometime in the near future.  However I need to befriend some celebrities first and find one who would be willing to sit for me.  Generally with real life portrait sittings you need at least 3 sessions of 2-3 hours each time to capture the essense of the figure.  I'm sure things will happen when they are meant to.

Last of all I just wanted to make my own personal comment upon reviewing the list of Archibald Finalists.

You can view the finalists here.

I was a little disappointed when viewing the Finalists as a whole.  Generally there is a lot of emotion and mark making in the works (lines, textures, expressive marks) but together as a group the portraits are quite bland.  The only ones that really stand out of the group are "Nell" by Abbey McCulloch and "Ken Done" by Ngaire Davenport with their bright colour contrasts.  The rest seem to be in similar tonal value - creams, greys, browns & blacks.  It is also interesting to note that even though these are portraits of people, only a couple are full body figures, with almost all being faces.  It is also an interesting mix of painting styles - abstract, realism, a little surrealism.  The other point I wanted to make is that most of the expressions are either expressionless, emotionless or quite calm.  There are no paintings full of extreme emotions either happiness or sadness, or even anger.  They all come across as subtle and relatively quiet in whichever emotion they are portraying.  I guess, a little flat?  Am I the only one that sees this?

  I'm very curious to see which paintings will win which awards.

Which one is your vote?

Come And Dream A Dream With Me

"Come Dream A Dream With Me"
40" x 40" x 1.5" (101.6cm x 101.6cm x 4.5cm)
Acrylic on canvas, 2009


sky detail

 
face & lyric detail

This morning, at exactly 9:58am I finished the final touches on a painting I've been working on for many hours for the past few weeks.  It has made me smile, it has made me cry, it has made me want to pull my hair out in frustration but most of all it has brought me joy.  It is strange because these characters I paint, whether based on the imagination or reality, are starting to have a life of their own.  With their own voices, thoughts, quirks and personalities.  Which can make it a little more difficult to paint when you wish to capture all of those traits with a single stroke from a paintbrush!
In the end though for me the painting captures a spirit and a beauty.  It is calming, relatively quiet and takes the mind to another place.  I must admit, I'm quite lost for words.

This painting was a commission - one filled with intrigue and mystery.  I was asked to create a portrait of a gorgeous woman named Jen as part of her birthday present from her fiancee.  The secret?  Well she had absolutely no idea about it, it was all 'hush hush' as some would say.

At 10:36am I bundled the painting into the car and headed off to my destination.  I was like the James Bond of the art world.  To add to the surprise of creating a portrait of Jen, I was going to meet her and hand deliver the work as well.  I must say I didn't know who was more nervous - Jen or myself!  In the end though it was a delightful experience, and a surprise that I don't think she could have ever guessed.  I'm truly honoured to create such an amazing portrait.  Jen - I hope your birthday was beyond perfect and truly magickal!

Experimentation

Sometimes the only thing you can do to get rid of frustration is to experiment with different materials.  Take risks, play around and just let yourself accept that whatever happens will happen.

Even if you don't like it.



This is an unfinished peice, about A1 in size, a work that I'll be working on for the next few weeks to just see what develops.  I had no idea what I was doing when I started, and it just keeps morphing from one thing to another.  This was created after 3 hours of work.  I'm finding it hard now to even show you, I don't like to share works in progress.  They are always so raw, so personal, and tell so much about me, I find it hard to let go of the perception I project of myself.  However my challenge this year is to loosen up and I've got to stick to it.  No matter how uncomfortable that may be for me!

I'm doing this work for no reason other then just to experiment with different materials and learning how to envoke a specific feeling/ emotion from the person viewing it.  Let's test that theory.  What emotion do you see in this work in progress?

Goodbye My Love Portrait

"Goodbye My Love"
Mixed Media, 2009
50cm x 40cm x 1.5cm

My art seems to be going through a transitional phase.  It is weird because it didn't tell me.  This work was a real huge internal struggle.  With the all the stress of late, and the personal issues, doing a 'healing' work was a nightmare.  It is different to a commission, where I can follow guidelines and play with other ideas.  Personal work forces me to come up with my own ideas which usually relate to me - a downfall when your life is going through a major upheavel and emotional journey!  I do want to clearly express that this isn't a self portrait just a painting with a lot of me in it.

This painting is layered on top of three others.  Seriously.  I started one, didn't like it and worked it back.  Started another....... same thing.  Then another....... I woke up and hated it.  Hate is such a strong word, but I just felt as though I wasn't being honest, I couldn't stand the sight of it.  The colours, the figure, the hair, the eyes...... it just wasn't working for me.  So I made it disappear. Then somehow during my exhaustion, I sat down and fought my mind until I painted this.

Painting can be so draining.  My mind seems to be going a million miles an hour at the moment.  Exhibitions, commissions, courses, studying, planning for my graduation show..... it is all on high speed.  Not to mention everything else in between.  Plus I'm getting sick again, which I'm not too pleased about.  The weather here is incredibly hot, over 40 degrees, which in turn is leaving me dehydrated no matter how much water I'm drinking and waking up with blood noses which is just awful.  Some people tell me to rest, but then all I can think about is what I should be doing, and when I'm doing what I need to do I dream about resting.  It is a no win win situation.

Back to the painting.  This one has many hidden meanings.  The paper that I used in the background is once again vintage book paper.  This time the paper is from an old gardening book - specifically growth charts.  As you know my relationship recently ended, and I can't seem to quite get the idea of being a new 'sprout' out of my mind.  You know..... what happens to old rotten tomatoes in the compost heap?  So I had to incorporate the idea of gardening, and my soul springing to new life.  However the text is upside down because I don't really like the thought of moving on, I'm quite comfortable where I am, even though I keep dreaming of going backwards.  (Instead of sprouting, I'm a nice plump tomato)

The character has a strange 'Margot Tenenbaum' essence to her.  She's unusual, a little displaced but seems to fit in somehow.  She is residing beside a whole bunch of cats.  I have always joked to myself that with my luck I'm going to become the old woman who lives down the street with no company other then cats.  Yes, that is right I'm going to be cat lady!

The background is quiet, still, and as the viewer you are unsure exactly what it is supposed to represent.  Bricks?  However they are green - are bricks ever green?  Glass?  But you can't see through it.  Coloured glass?  Maybe, maybe not.

There are of course other meanings, but I don't want to analyse my work all night.  You can blame my art course for going into such length - I have to start writing essays on my own work!  My first one has to be a minimum of four pages......... ack!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Oh - the point of this post was to announce this will be the painting of mine exhibiting at the "Portrait" exhibition in Melbourne which starts next week.  I'm so proud to be exhibiting at the Famous When Dead gallery for the first time alongside a great lineup of artists.  It should be an interesting mix!



(click image for close up)

Princess Penelope

It has taken me a few weeks to get my mojo back, but I finished this painting in the early hours of last night.  I wanted to try a semi self portrait, but ended up changing her hair colour at the last second.  This painting has amazing details of iridescent blue paint in the hair detail & the backgroud, I absolutely adore her!  She has been named "Princess Penelope" and measures 30cm x 30cm.  The painting is a mixture of collage and acrylic paint.

Never Alone

"Never Alone"
76cm x 92cm
Acrylic on Canvas

This is one of my newest works for the City of Joondalup Art Exhibition opening this Wednesday night (4th of June).  I really enjoyed working on this painting, and could have continued for days.  However my deadline was 8.30am this morning (and I was still working on it at 8.45am!)

This painting has a closer bond to me then any of my other paintings.  I've used quite a lot of symbolism in the work for references and meanings that can't truly be interpreted without knowing who I am as a person.  I'll try to interpret some of the meanings for you.

The figure in the painting is quiet, but not lonely.  She is reflective of me as a person.  Rather simple, plain and searching for something.  She is either taking her jacket off, or putting it on - which we do not know.  A link to my own life right now as I'm not quite sure what path to take next.  The jacket is made up of boldly coloured peacock feathers as a reference to my family (they have peacocks) and how their love is wrapped around me, and there is plenty of it (lots of feathers with no end in sight).  Once again linking to the jacket maybe coming off or on - will I go away, or will I stay close?

The background has a tree that is old and weathered - a link to the fond love I have for history and the environment.  I'm a country girl at heart and am my most happy outdoors in the open - hence the wide open field of grass.  The tree, that may have been dead, is now coming back to life with small sprouts of leaves, showing that there will be a change in the air.  What change I do not know but it is coming.

The tree extends into the ground, behind the figure to reveal tree roots linked and joined in unison.  This reference is to my past which keeps revealling itself, yet doesn't reappear as the present.  It is my foundation, what makes me who I am today.  The links of my past are stronger then my future.  The green field is flat with no perspective or path to travel because I don't know where to find it.  There are no hills, no sun, and nothing in the distance.  Not because there is no hope, but rather that this reflects a moment in time where certains elements are just unknown to me. 

In the tree creatures and eyes peer out, watching and waiting.  No matter where I am, or what I am doing I always feel as though someone is watching me.  Everytime I walk into a room I feel eyes on me, and I'd rather slink to a corner away from the crowd so they can watch me from a distance.  There is no detail to the creatures as I can never put a face to the issues that I'm constantly fighting with my own self esteem.

The figure is wearing a simple purple dress, purple is my favourite colour.  Simple because I'm an ordinary girl who doesn't like to stand out of the crowd.  The hair of the figure is long as I've always wanted long hair that rests softly around my face.  The whole scene is surrounded by a massive blue sky of clouds and a storm brewing.  This symbolises the challenges that may lie forth in my future.

There are other meanings and references, but this is the basic outline.  My paintings aren't just of figures, I put so much secret meaning into them as I work.  The medium I use, the words I choose for collage, even down to the paper.  Each choice full of secrets and hidden meanings.  I just felt with this work that I had to share those details in order to give you a greater understanding of how much this work means to me.  It was one of those works that I just had to do before I could create anything else.  A turning point in my life.

The book that inspired the idea and the concepts was "The Bridei Chronicles" by Juliet Marillier.  A fantasy story about a witch girl and a boy destined to be king, and the love that grows between them against all odds.  The book is based on celtic lore as well as historical fact and resonates with me strongly.  I'm definitely a fan of science fiction or fantasy!!

One year and one week later......

So, it's time.  Time to look back on my life.  I can't believe it.  One year and one week ago exactly I sold my first illustration on Etsy for $15.  It took me five hours to draw, and I just listed it on Etsy out of curiousity.  It was the first work that I'd ever sold in my life.  I had just started drawing again about two months prior to that after a four year hiatus from anything creative.  Previously I studied fine art at college specialising in charcoal.  I could never have predicted that I would be here right now doing what I'm doing.  I can't believe how much my work has grown & changed, or how much my life has changed for the better. 

I look back on the person I once was and do not recognise her.  Four years ago I was 98kg, unhappy, miserable and had no direction in life.  Now I'm five dress sizes smaller, about 72kg and on top of the world.  I don't have a clear direction in life *but* I'm happy on the path that I'm travelling and I'll just take what comes as I pass.

So, for those of you who know me you'll know I'm a notes & statistics kind of girl.  I'm not sure why but it helps me set new goals to achieve and be realistic with what has passed or what may happen in the future.  So I'm going to share with you some of my statistics about my creative journey.  They are not being written as bragging rights.  I have good times, but I also have bad.  I just believe that some things should be shared & that you can learn from other people.  Everyone has their own paths to follow and no ones journey will ever be the same. 

• I started blogging on blogger in January 2007 and switched to typepad in May 2007.  Since switching to typepad I have had 42,785 hits to my blog.  My visits so far have been from 75 different countries.  (How amazing is that!!)  Some of the countries include England, Hungary, India, Peru, Slovakia, Morocco, Bahrain, Macedonia and even Vietnam. 
• I opened my Etsy store in May 2007 and sold my first item in 4 days.  Since then I've reached 500 sales, and I'm so pleased to know my treasures now reside in over 24 countries worldwide.
• I have two artworks in public collections - City of Joondalup & the Town of Vincent library here in Western Australia.
• I have been commissioned for a variety of work including Geekgirl, Thread Magazine, Lip Magazine, Mesa & Sony/BMG CD as well as private commissions.
• I have had the most amazing press features including Marie Claire, STM Magazine, Xpress Magazine, Decor8, Design*Sponge, Creative Commons and many many more.  I'm truly blessed.
• I've participated in 5 craft fairs / designer markets and whilst they may be a stressful experience for me I find them to be an invaluable tool to my growth in both my career and my life.
• I launched my website in January 2007 with many tweaks and updates along the way.   I don't know exactly how many hits I've had (I forgot to install the counters when I initially launched the site)  but I've had visitors from 45 countries including Germany, Egypt, Pakistan and Bulgaria.
• I've participated in an amazing range of exhibitions including V-Raw, Wayside Chapel, Clothespeg Exhibition, Artopia and my first solo exhibition in November 2007.  I've painted live in front of university students for V-Raw and even presented my girls in front of a room full of eager listeners for Pecha Kucha volume 1 in Perth.
• The fastest one of my items sold has been seconds - on Etsy.  I also sold one of my artworks at a gallery exhibition last year the moment it opened! 

My first illustration sold through Etsy - May 2007

My most recently completed illustration - May 2008

So much more has happened in my life, I just cannot express how priviliged I feel right now to be able to live the life I do.  To spend my days sketching and painting, or even sewing, it is so fulfilling.

I get asked quite often what I plan for the future.  To be honest I don't know.  Next month I can tell you almost everything I have planned because of my diary - but after that who knows?  I'll just have to see what happens.  Since the day I started so far every single week something has happened that is completely unexpected and absolutely miraculous.  Every single week without fail.  It may be a phone call, an interview or even a commission, but all are completely unpredictable, but so exciting!! 

On the same note my creative life isn't one big high, there are many lows.  The point to remember though is without any lows you'll never be able to know when you have a high.  I have had a million failures whether it be artwork, cancelled commissions or just anything that failed to progress to that next stage.  It is tough when that happens, but understandable as situations change and so do ideas, budgets and even communication.  Still, each one is a learning experience and for each failed proposal, a good one will eventuate.  I look forward to those.  :)  SoI'm sure that now you must be a little curious about what hasn't worked for me.  Well, here are just a few -

• An agency in Russia wanted to represent me for my illustration, but at the time I didn't feel that my portfolio was strong enough.  Then a great deal of time later I contacted another agency to represent me but was declined as my portfolio was strong but not broad enough in its subject matter.  (Rejection is great = the best thing to help you grow.)
• I was contacted about transforming one of my girls into a character.  The character would be transformed into a 3D figure and would feature in both print & television ads across America for a major furniture company.  The company the idea was presented to didn't go forward with the proposal.
• I was contacted about using some of my illustrations in designer jewellery to be stocked in stores across the United Kingdom.  The idea just didn't progress any further.
• A website wanted to feature my illustrations across the site and use me as an example for other illustrators in regards to an organization that they were starting up.  The communication was excellent, and they were very excited & specific about the illustrations they wished to display.  However upon the release of the website my images were cropped, altered, discoloured and displayed in a terrible fashion - it honestly made some of them look like crayon drawings.  I was so offended and after further communication they revealled that they intended to use my images in that way from day one and didn't think copyright laws applied to websites, so I asked for my images to be removed immediately and for all references to me to be removed also.

It's been an interesting journey to say the least.  I've learnt so much in regards to illustrating, budgeting, running a business, communication, negotiations, quoting commissions to companies, website designing and even making computer image files print ready.  I used to always think an illustrator just needed a pencil and a creative imagination.  Now I've realised that they need much more then that to stand out from all those other creative talents who also have pencils and vast imaginations.

Oh, and the other question that I get asked ALL the time, especially by school children.  Am I rich?  My answer is yes.  Financially?  Umm... no.  Unless you happen to know something I don't.  I'm rich because I'm living a dream, and I couldn't imagine myself living any other way.  Then I get asked what will happen if I ever win the Lotto.  Will I buy a mansion?  Move to the moon?  Fly all around the world?  Quit and become Paris Hilton?  My answer is no.  First of all I don't have the figure to be a Paris Hilton and secondly I honestly want to live my life exactly as I'm living it right now.  A bigger studio would be nice, as would some more art supplies, but this is my dream and this is what I want to do.

To those of you who have purchased anything from me - thankyou for helping me continue to live this dream.  For those of you who just enjoy my work - thankyou for your continued inspiration.  For those of you who don't like my work but keep visiting - thankyou for your interest in me.  For my friends and family - thankyou for your continued love and support.  For those of you who've visited me for the first time - welcome, I hope you enjoy your visit.  :)

I look forward to what the next year will bring!

When the pressure gets tough......

.... get creating.  I think I'm going through a mid life art crisis.  Struggling to solidify my style and get through a lot of commissions, work and just general plans for the next stage of my career.  I think there was bad kharma in the area I used to work in as I found it really hard to get any work completed.  Many days I'd sit there for hours, then it would result in so many works (that to me) had failed, it was quite depressing.  Even worse is that I'm such a perfectionist, and I need that magic 'it's finished' moment to happen.  Sadly no magic fairy has been visiting me lately and not a lot has gotten finished!!

Now though I think I've fixed the problem and I've moved my 'studio' to another room of the house.  It took me two days to move all my art supplies in one of our spare bedrooms, and it still isn't finished - although I'm close to it.  I'm crammed in the room but I love it, and being crowded by so much stuff just inspires me.  Like I'm living in my own secondhand store!  The only depressing part of the whole move-to-another-room was the sight of just how much art supplies I actually own.  No wonder I've always been poor!  I've decided I'm never moving house, because moving my art will need a whole truck of its own.  I've still got pencils from when I was 10 years old!!!

So anyway, I haven't shared any of the new work with you for a while because so much has been wrapped up in secrecy.  I promise I'll reveal those soon.  Until then here is a piece I finished last week.  I bought some of the most amazing canvas in the world, and it has resulted in a painting I just adore.  I'm really looking forward to pushing my work to the next level in the coming months.

"Pressure"
Acrylic on canvas
30cm x 40cm